How to choose the best apple tree variety for the Moscow region

Which variety to choose?

New apple tree varieties appear almost every year. Therefore, gardeners often have difficulty choosing the right sapling for a specific region. Apple trees for the Moscow region should be selected based on the following factors:

• The ability to effectively tolerate the climatic conditions typical of this region. Plants must have good cold tolerance. Frosts down to -30 degrees Celsius are possible in this region;

• High resistance of trees to various diseases and pests. This fruit crop often suffers from fungal diseases (powdery mildew, scab, and cytosporosis). In the Moscow region, summer creates favorable conditions for the spread of pathogens for these diseases. Therefore, tree varieties resistant to these diseases should be grown here;
• high yield rates;
• Fruit ripening time. It's best to choose early-ripening varieties that begin to produce fruit in the 2nd or 3rd year of life;
• fruiting frequency. An apple tree should bear fruit every year, not just once every few years.

Considering the height of the plantings is also important. Today, there are dwarf apple trees, as well as medium- and tall-sized plants. Varieties grown on dwarf rootstocks or semi-dwarf apple varieties are compact, allowing for the cultivation of a large number of fruit trees in a relatively small area. Dwarf varieties also offer clear advantages in terms of harvesting.

To achieve abundant fruit production in this region, experts recommend planting apple trees of different varieties. They recommend adhering to the following ratio:

• winter varieties – about 50%;
• summer varieties – about 20%;
• autumn species – approximately 30%.

When choosing apple trees for the Moscow region, it can be difficult to determine the best variety, as breeders have developed many interesting and self-fertile varieties suitable for planting in this region. Which variety should you choose? It primarily depends on the gardener's taste preferences.

Let's take a closer look at which varieties are considered the best for the Moscow region.

Summer

Many gardeners choose summer-ripening apple trees for the Moscow region. These varieties ripen from mid-July to early August. Summer-ripening apples are sweet and their flesh is very juicy. However, they have a short shelf life (about 3-4 weeks).

It's worth noting that almost all summer apple tree varieties thrive in the Moscow region. However, experienced gardeners recommend choosing the following varieties for growing:

• Moscow Pear. The fruits are medium-sized and yellow. A slight blush appears on the skin. The flavor is sweet and sour. The apples are very aromatic and juicy. The seedlings are highly cold-hardy.
• Medok. This is a columnar, semi-dwarf variety that produces fragrant yellow apples. The apples are harvested in late July. They are quite large and have a distinct honey flavor. Medok is disease-resistant (especially scab).
• Lungwort. Known for its high yield, the fruits ripen in late August and have a honey-like flavor. The skin is greenish-yellow. Lungwort has good immunity to a number of diseases (powdery mildew, scab).
• Candy apple. This variety has excellent flavor characteristics (sweet, candy-like aftertaste). The apples ripen in August. They fall quickly, so it's best to harvest them promptly. These apple trees tolerate low temperatures well, but are often susceptible to fungal diseases.
• Wonderful. The trees are characterized by their low growth and compact size. They also typically bear large fruits. The fruits are harvested in mid-August. They are bright yellow and have a sweet and sour flavor. These apple trees have good resistance to scab, but often suffer from aphid infestations.

Many of these varieties are the result of modern selective breeding. Each gardener determines for themselves which of the above varieties are best to plant in the Moscow region, based on the variety's description.

Autumn

Every garden should definitely have apple trees that bear fruit in early autumn. These varieties ripen in early autumn and store slightly longer than summer varieties. They are characterized by a distinct aroma and excellent taste.

Autumn apple varieties that will produce a good harvest in the Moscow region:

• Antonovka. This is a varietal type that includes over 15 varieties (Antonovka Obyknovennaya, Zolotaya, Krasnobokaya, Polutorafountovaya, etc.). Any variety of this varietal type can be grown at home without any problems. The apples are sweet and sour, with firm flesh and large size. They can weigh up to 600 grams;
• Streifling. A characteristic feature is the yellow color of the fruit, alternating with red stripes. The fruits are medium-sized and have a sweet and sour taste. They are distinguished by high winter hardiness, transportability, and long storage life;
• Zhigulevsky. This apple variety is distinguished by its large fruits and abundant harvest. The fruits ripen in late September and can be stored until mid-winter. The skin is bright red;
• Vasyugan. A columnar, early-fruiting apple variety. Young trees produce fruit in their first few years, if planted in the fall. The fruits are medium-sized, yellow with a bright blush. They have good frost resistance and are immune to many diseases. These apples transport well.

These are the best autumn apple varieties for the Moscow region, recommended for cultivation in this region.

Winter

Winter varieties are the most popular for storage. They are ideal for the Moscow region. Gardeners choose these varieties for long-term storage. The fruits are harvested before ripeness. Winter varieties best grown in this region include:

• Zvezdochka. This is a hybrid specially bred for the Moscow region. The apples are small. The trees have good immunity and high cold tolerance;
• Moscow Winter. Medium-sized, greenish-yellow fruits. Sweet and tart flavor. Good resistance to pests and diseases.
• Pepin Saffron. The apples are yellow and small. They have a wine-sweet taste;
• Moscow Necklace. A columnar variety. Produces large fruits. The yellow skin has a distinct blush. It has a sweet and sour flavor. It is known for its exceptional frost resistance and productivity.

Now you know which apple tree varieties are best for planting in the Moscow region. Remember that proper and comprehensive care is essential for good fruit production.

Video "The Best Summer Apple Varieties"

This video will tell you about the best summer apple tree varieties for your garden.